PFAS are a group of anthropogenic chemicals with several industrial and commercial application uses. PFAS entering the environment are globally distributed through atmospheric and oceanic currents through which they can reach remote regions of the Earth. The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is native to Iceland and is therefore an example for apex predators in remote regions. Although studies on the presence of PFAS in arctic foxes exist, relatively little is known about correlations between PFAS contamination and body conditions.
The PFAS concentrations of several tissues (liver, kidney and muscle tissue) of artic foxes from Iceland were determined. All samples were extracted by either MTBE (liver and kidney) or acetonitrile (muscle) and measured by UHPLC-HRMS. Experimental data was then correlated with individual metadata of the arctic foxes (sex, age, habitat, etc.).
Overall, 26 PFAS were identified in the fox matrices. Most quantified substances were long-chain PFCAs and PFSAs (C6 to C14) with PFOS being the most abundant. PFAS concentrations were the highest in liver samples, followed by kidney samples. Muscle tissue showed the lowest PFAS levels. Arctic foxes with habitats close to the coast showed higher ΣPFCAs (factor 10) and higher ΣPFSAs (factor 40) concentrations compared to foxes living inland. Females showed higher ΣPFCAs concentrations compared to males, although without statistical significance. Juvenile foxes displayed lower PFAS concentrations compared to adult animals.
Several influencing factors on the PFAS burden of Icelandic artic foxes were identified. Differences between tissue types can be related to the function of the organs and the increased binding affinity of PFAS in high-protein tissues. Further investigation of PFAS in animals living in remote areas need to be carried out to deepen the knowledge about influencing factors of PFAS distribution in wildlife.